Amusement apparatus.



No. 828,689. PATENTBD AUG'. 14, 1906. LA MARCUS A. THOMPSON..

AMUSEMENT4 APPARATUS.

lAPPLIGATION FILED 00T.7, 1905.

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N0. 828,689. P ATENTED AUG'. 14, 1906. LA MARCUS A. THOMPSON.

AMUSBMENT APPARATUS.

APPLICA-TIONAFILED 00T. 7. 1905.

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AMUSEMBNT APPARATUS.

APPLICATION IIEILEI) 0OT.'?l 1905.

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UNiTnn srnrns Ferrini* -rrron LA MARCUS A. THOMPSON, OF NEW YORK, Y.,ASSIGNOR TO THE L. A. THOMPSON SCENIC RAILWAY COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N.Y., A CORPORATION OF NEV JERSEY.

AIV'IUSEIVIENT APPARATUS.

Be it known that I, LA MARCUS A. -THOMP- SON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at New York, county of New York, and State of New York,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Amusement Apparatus, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of thisspecification.

The obj ect'of my invention is the production of an amusement device ofthat class in which there is a canal or sluice containing water on whicha boat containing the passengers floats and is guided by the walls ofthe sluice. This sluice in the devices of this character now in use hasa high and a low point. The water flowing by gravity carries the boatwith it. ln this class of devices as now generally in use no provisionis made to carry the boat while containing the passengers from one levelto the other, and the water is carried by a single wheel from the lowerto the higher level at the point of reception and removal of thepassengers. This requires that the passengers see the transference ofthe boat, and also at that point the action of the stream of water isnot continuous. Furthermore, in this class of apparatus the effectthroughout is that of traveling or movlng in a narrow passage-way.Finally, the

- lift of the water is but s ight.

In my improved apparatus T provide or form the high point of the sluicebeyond the point of reception of the passengers and automatically liftthe boat and passengers from the low to the high point. By thisarrangement the passengers on embarking proceed at once and there is nomanual movement of the boats, nor are any of the lifting devices ormechanism in view of the spectators. Further, the boat and itspassengers are lifted automaticallyfrom the low to the high point, sothat from end to end the operation is automatic and continuous. I alsoprovide a novel construction for lifting the water from the low to thehigh level, whereby it may be lifted to a higher plane than is now thecase. This construction, generally speaking, consists of a plurality oi'intergeared wheels hav- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 7, 1905. Serial No. 281.781.

Patented Aug. 14, 1906.

ing blades. The wheels are arranged in position side by side and inaltitude at different heights. These wheels are surrounded by a casingforming channels leading from the I blades of each wheel to the nexthigher", so

that each wheel forces the water' to the next wheel, and so on until thedesired height is reached, from whence a chute leads to the high pointof the main channel or chute. I

also have at the point or portion where the wheels are a pool' tocollect suflicient water, which pool connects by a chute or channel withthe low point of the main channel or chute. Between this pool and theinterior of the wheel-casing I' provide a regulating-gate. I also formor use in my improved apparatus the following novel and pleasingfeature. At one point the main chute is broadened out to form thecontour of' a lake or pond of'water. The sides of this contour so formedare inclined to give the appearance of a shore-line, on which may beplaced rocks and painted scenes of various character. Through thisbroadened-out portion continues a secondary chute or channel incontinuance with and of the same width as the main channel in its narrowand normal portion. It, however, is of less height than the mainchannel, itsv top being below the level of the water, it extendingupward from the bottom only a distance sufficiently to be above thebottom of the boat when unloaded,and thus still guide the boat. Thisauxiliary or secondary vchute may extend through the lake in a sinuouscourse. When the boat passes from the main portion to this auxiliaryportion, it has the effect of passing into an open lake, the guidingmedium being hidden by the water. The eliect at this point 1 heighten bycausing the water in this portion to be agitated, thus forming waveswhich are perceptibly felt by those in the boat.

I will now describe the specific embodiment of my invention illustratedin the accomp anying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of myimproved d'evice, showing the outline of the building in section. Fig. 2is a side elevation with the outlines of the building in section. Fig. 3is an enlarged longitudinal section of the front IOO ' the pond or lake.

portion of the device. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-section on 4 4,Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlar ed cross-section on 5 5, Fi l.

is the main chute, whic with the eX- ception of the portion A', isinclosed in a building. The chute A is of width sufficient to receiveand guide the boats and has the inclined sides a. The portion A is thepoint of reception and debarcation of the passengers. At a point beyondthis startingpoint is the high point A2 of the main sluice or chute, andA3 is the low point. These points are connected by an inclined conveyerB. Intermediate between the high point A2 `and low point A3 the chute orchannel A is broadened out to form a lake or pond G, having inclinedwalls A4, provided with scenic effects A3. In this lake or pond is thesubmerged chute or channel C, which forms a continuance of channel A andis of the same width, but of a lower height, being of such height thatits top is below the surface of the water-in the pond. In this pond isalso the agitator D, which is connected by the rod E with the crank F,by the movement of which the agitator may be moved to form waves on orpond G is a regulating-gate G, which may be closed when the apparatus isnot in use or opened to the desired extent when the apparatus is in use.From the outlet of the lake G the main channel A continues in a sinuousv'course to the point A3. Near the portion A and in View of thespectators is the reservoir or pool H A chute H connects the low pointA3 and the reservoir H. In this reservoir is the wheel I, having bladesI, supported on shaft I3. Supported upon the shaft J at a higher levelthan shaft I3 is the wheel J havin blades J 2. Upon the shaft J Yis agear J3, mes ing with a gear I3 on shaft I3, the two gears being of samesize. K is a shaft at a higher level than shaft J and, like it,supporting a wheel K', having blades K2. The shaft K has a gear K3,which meshes with a gear J 3 or shaft J. Partially surrounding thesewheels is the case I3. A gate I4 connects this case with the pool H. Achannel J 4 connects wheels I and J and a channel K4 connects wheels Jand K. From wheel K a chute K5 leads to the high point A2 of the channelA. The shaft K has also a gear K3, which meshes with a gear K7 on ashaft K3, which latter shaft may be driven in any appropriate manner.

As may be seen, the water is successively elevated by the three wheelsto a considerable height and brought to a point at the top offconveyerB. The amount of water delivered maybe regulated by the gate I4, whilethe pool'or reservoir H forms a storage-place for any leakage in thesystem of chutes. Between the outlet of the lake and the low point A3 ofthe chute A rapids may be formed, as in At the outlet of the lakev themanner shown in Patent No. 755,449, is- 6 5 sued to me March l, 1904.These rapids are denoted by the letter Ii. As may be seen, with thisapparatus the riders start on the boat at once by gravity and areautomatically drawn up the incline B, pass through the lake (l, in whichthey have the sensation of free traveling, the guiding device or chutebeing submerged, and in which not only scenic effects maybe shown,` butby mechanically agitating the water the effect of waves and a stormmaybe produced, which effect may be heightened by producing artificialthunder and lightning. By making the sides of the chutes or channels Ainclined I obtain the effect of a shore-line, giving water beyond theboat, thus appearing to float in free water without a channel. Further,by my improved larrangement of a plurality of liftingwheels at differentheights and such wheels intergeared the water may be lifted to a greaterheight, thus giving a larger or more rapid boat ride and admitting ofthe introduction of rapids, &c. Finally, by having the pool or reservoirH, I provide an appearance of a pool or lake in view of the spectatorsand a reservoir which will retain sufficient water at all times and forma place for the reception of any water of leakage.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire toprotect by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an amusement apparatus of the character described, in combination,a closed building having an open front, a sinuous main chute or channel,extending fromsaid open space within said building, said main chute orchannel containing water and adapted to receive and convey a boat, saidchannel having high and low points and an inclined conveyer adapted toreceive and convey the boats connecting said points, a reservoir and achute or channel, independent of the main chute or channel, connectingsaid reservoir and the low point of said main chute or channel.

2. In an amusement apparatus of the character described in combination,a closed building having an open front, a sinuous main chute or channel,extending from said open space within said building, said main chute orchannel containing water and adapted to receive and guide a boat, saidchannel having high and low` points and an inclined conveyer, adapted toreceive and convey the boats, connecting said points, a reservoir and achute or channel, independent of the main chute or channel, connectingsaid reservoir and the low point of said main chute or channel, alifting-wheel in said reservoir and a chute or channel, independent ofthe main chute or channel, connecting said wheel and the high point ofsaid main chute.

3. In an amusement apparatus of the char- IOO IIO

acter described, in combination, a closed building having an open front,a sinuous main chute or channel containing water, adapted to receive andguide a boat, extending from said open space within said building, saidchannel having high and low points and an inclined conveyer adapted toreceive and convey the boats connecting said points, a reservoir, aplurality of intergeared liftingwheels, said wheels being at differentlevels, the first wheel being in connection with the reservoir and waterconnection successively between the lowest wheel and highest Wheel, anda chute or channel connecting the highest wheel and the high point ofthe main chute or channel.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, aplurality of intergeared lifting-wheels at different heights, Waterconnection between the several wheels, a source of water-supplyconnection between said source of water-supply and the lowest wheel.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, aplurality of intergeared lifting-wheels at different heights, waterconnection between the several wheels, a source of water-supplyconnection between said source of water-supply and the lowest wheel, anda water channel or chute leading from the highest wheel.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a mainchannel containing water, adapted to receive and guide a boat, the wallsof said channel extending above the water, said main channel beingbroadened out to form a pool or lake, a secondary channel in said lakeadapted to receive and guide a boat, the walls of said secondary channelbeing below the surface of the water, said secondary channel forming acontinuation of the main channel.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a mainchannel con taining water, adapted to receive and guide a boat, thewalls of said channel extending above the water, said main channel beingbroadened out to form a pool or lake, the walls forming said lake beinginclined, a secondary channel in said lake adapted to receive and guidea boat, the walls of said secondary channel being below the surface ofthe water, said secondary channel forming a continuation of the mainchannel.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a mainchannel containing water, adapted to receive and guide a boat, the wallsof said channel extending above the water, said main channel beingbroadened out to form a pool or lake, the walls forming said lake beinginclined and provided with scenic effects, a secondary channel in saidlake adapted to receive and guide a boat, the walls of said secondarychannel being below the-surface of the water, said secondary channelforming a continuation of the main channel.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a mainchannel, containing water, adapted to receive and guide a boat, thewalls of said channel extending above the water, said main channel beingbroadened out to form a pool or lake, a secondary channel in said lakeadapted to receive and guide a boat, the walls of said secondary channelbeing below the surface of water, said secondary channel forming acontinuation of the main channel, and means to agitate the water in saidlake to form waves therein.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, anartificial lake or pool, a chute or channel therein, in which a boat isadapted to float and be guided by the walls thereof, the walls of saidchute or chan nel being below the surface of the water in the lake orpool.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, anartificial lake or pool, the walls forming the shore of said lake beinginclined, a chute or channel therein, in which a boat is adapted tofloat and be guided by the walls thereof, the walls of said chute orchannel being below'the surface of the water in the lake or pool.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, anartificial lake or pool, the walls forming the shore of said lake beinginclined, and provided with scenic effects, a chute or channel therein,in which a boat is adapted to fioat and be guided by the walls thereof,the walls of said chute or channel being below the surface of the waterin the lake or pool.

13. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, in combination, anartificial lake or pool, a chute or channel therein, in which a boat isadapted to fioat and be guided by the walls thereof, the walls of saidchute or channel being below the surface ofthe water in the lake or pooland means to agitate the water in said lake to form waves therein.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a mainchannel containing water, adapted to receive and guide a boat, the wallsof said channel extending above the water, said main channel beingbroadened out to form a pool or lake, a secondary channel in said lakeadapted to receive and guide a boat, the walls of said secondary channelbeing` below the surface of the water, said secondary channel formingalcontinuation of the main channel, and a gate at the outlet of said lake.

l5. In an apparatus of the character described, a chute orchannel'containing water in which a boat is adapted to iioat, saidchannel having vertical sides between which the IOS IIO

boat is guided, said vertical sides terminating In testimony of Whichinvention I have below the surface of the Water. hereunto set my hand,at city of New York7 1o 16. In an apparatus of the character deon this5th day of October, 1905. i scribed, a chute or channel containingWater, LA MARCUS A THOMPSON l: having vertical sides between which theboat l s guided, said vertical sides terminating be- Witnesses: low thesurface ofthe Water, and inclined eX- J. A. MILLER,

tensions from said vertical sides. K HENRY BENOIT.

